The recent announcement by the government stating the 10 percent reservation for the economically backward section won’t require SC/ST/OBC as a criterion for its eligibility.

In a recent announcement made by the Government, the Union Cabinet has approved 10 percent reservation in jobs and educational institutions for the economically backward section in the general category.

The reservation will cover all those communities and classes who do not come under the 50 percent which was mandated by the Supreme Court in Indra Sawhney case in 1992.

According to media reports, the legislation will be announced by the government on Tuesday, which is the last day of the winter session of the parliament. In addition, the quota will be over and above the existing 50 percent reservation.

A source further explained,

This will be given to those economically backward poor people who are not availing the benefit of reservation as of now.

The criteria for this won’t require SC/ST/OBCs caste for its eligibility under the new provision. The benefits will be applied to all the communities among Hindu, Muslims and Christians. To avoid confusion, the government’s plan is to describe the beneficiaries as the economically weaker section (EWS).

The beneficiaries will be those who have an annual income of less than 8 lakh per annum, possessing agricultural land below five acres and a house below 1,000 square feet.

For the urban area, people with a residential plot below 100 yards in a notified municipality or residential plot below 200 yards in the non-notified municipal area will be eligible for the reservation, as reported.

Previously in the early 90's, the government headed by Narasimha Rao attempted to provide 10 percent reservation to the economically backward among the different sections. But due to the political backlash against the Mandal Commission recommendation was later nullified by the Supreme Court.